Daily Star interview by Kevin Brown, May 2002
Gary Numan? Who he? Only the bloke behind the infectious sample on Sugababes' recent No1 smash, Freak Like Me. Culled from his 1978 No1 single, Are 'Friends' Electric?, it's thrust our Gary back into the mainstream. We caught up with the electronic pioneer to talk about his new album, Exposure - The Best Of Gary Numan 1977-2002
Has the success of the Sugababes made you think about becoming more commercial?
No. Not at all. The same time that track was at No1, I was top of the Kerrang! chart. That's much more important to me. Something that succeeds in its own right without daytime airplay.
So we can safely assume you're not a fan of the pop charts?
It's all geared to pre-pubescent children. And this audience is getting younger and younger. But they're only a small percentage of the record-buying public. The success of Kerrang! means there's still a demand for more alternative music.
Don't you think pop music's less sophisticated than it was.
Don't forget, though. We had Donny Osmond. There's always been pure old s*** in the charts.
So how do you explain Will Young?
Er, I don't.
What are you listening to these days?
Nine Inch Nails. Marilyn Manson. The heavier and more menacing the better.
So the fey electro days are behind you, then?
Oh yes.
Has compiling the album made you re-evaluate a lot of your work?
I didn't have much to do with it, to be honest. But fortunately, this one is well-timed and brings into focus my career. And to be honest, a lot of it's been more luck than planning.
You were on Graham Norton's show recently? Are you amazed at the absurd things artists have to do to get your records heard?
I loved Graham Norton. I think he's genuinely funny. But I remember being on some horrible Saturday morning TV show pretending to be in a launderette. It was just embarrassing b****cks. I'm just glad that I don't have to do s*** like that anymore.
Was the success of New Order, OMD and Depeche Mode inspiring to you or infuriating - being an electronic originator?
Not really. Looking back, I've done alright. I've never been jealous when other people have done well. There's been some s*** bits in my life. But now life's good again. I don't harbour any grudges.
You famously married a Numanoid? Are they all as nice as your wife?
She's fantastic. I fell on a pile of gold dust when I met her.
As a former punk, what do you think of the Sex Pistols reunion?
It's pure cabaret. They're just cashing in on the memories. What they're doing is the opposite of everything punk stood for.
You were famously arrested for spying? Is that the most absurd event in your career?
Just about. I was arrested in India during a round-the-world solo flight. I had two watches and a long-lens camera. So naturally, I was a spy.
That and appearing on Going Live then?
Yeah.